SATURDAY, FEB. 18 2012 >>>
1. Seattle's eclectic roots ensemble New Forge teams up with members of the Blackberry Bushes Stringband, joined by Olympia's Lob Strilla on banjo and Ben Sidelinger on dobro and electric bass, for a performance at the Eastside Club Tavern beginning at 9:30 p.m.
2. In time for a swell 30th anniversary appearance, Annie returns to the silver screen at 2:30 p.m. inside Olympia's Capitol Theater. But don't come looking for a 3-D reboot like some of these supposed "classics" Hollywood plans to dig up this year. (The Phantom Menace? Wow.) Instead, clear your throat, rehearse those pipes and get ready to belt out song after song from this feel-good musical, and all for a good cause. Every suggested $10 donation collected at the door benefits Parents Organizing for Welfare and Economic Rights. But please, call the organization POWER.
3. King's Books is undeniably the literary epicenter of Tacoma these days. So it's not surprising to see local poet and author David Fewster has a book release party and signing from 4-6 p.m. at King's for his latest effort, Neddie Learns The Blues. A picture book illustrated by Tim Bernsau and described as comparable to "a children's book by Tom Lehrer and Charles Schulz as edited by Lenny Bruce," Neddie Learns the Blues is also not for kids ... literally. Apparently they wont sell it to you unless you're 18. All the more reason to celebrate it! Saturday's book signing will be accompanied by a short musical performance by the group Folksingers in Hell.
4. Want to watch men in masks and underpants bludgeon the holy hell out of each other? Lucha Libre Volcánica, in collaboration with University of Puget Sound's CHiSPA (Community for Hispanic Awareness), host a night of lucha libre wrestling from 7-9 p.m. at the UPS Memorial Fieldhouse. Compared to professional wrestling, Lucha libre wrestlers are definitely physical as well, but it's a bit more theatrical. More like sketch comedy.
5. The Waterstreet Cafe hosts a Carnival Celebration featuring the Afro-Cuban band Ocho Pies at 9:30 p.m.
THE WEEKEND HUSTLE: We preview tons of events happening today
LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound
LINK: Live music and DJs tonight
LINK: South Sound happy hours